RAM 2026 3500, 50 gallon fuel tank

[7426TRISS]

I have a RAM 2026 3500 with a 50 gallon tank.
When full it reads 725 miles to E.
The gauges never moves for 200-250 miles, at 18 mpg should read 900 miles or less. Was at Dealer, there response that's normal. I say BS. There is a calibration procedure for the sensor. Has anyone seen this and what is the fix?

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Might be lower due to averaging range MPG, both while towing and while not towing. Pretty sure this how our F-450 works.

 

[UFF]

I also have a 2026 Ram 3500. Never paid attention to it. I know the mpg is always real close when I figure it out with my pencil. Normally pulling a load so I never get 18mpg. It does seem like the fuel gauge goes down faster once below 1/2 a tank. Keep us informed, I’ll try to look more at mine this year.

 

[7426TRISS]

This is with the 5th wheel not connected. If I run the number, 18 mpg =900 miles with 50gallon tank, even if I drop the numer to 16 mpg shows 750 miles

 

[7426TRISS]

There is a calibration that needs to be done with the 32 gallon tank to a 50

 

[UFF]

Yep, I understand, just have never paid attention to mine. I will the next time I fill up.

 

[7426TRISS]

Never had a truck with 50 gallon tank, but Sean's strange, Think the deal is BS,

Can review all the internet post, A Calibration is required

 

[Flyer32RLS]

Might be lower due to averaging range MPG, both while towing and while not towing. Pretty sure this how our F-450 works.

Don't think that is correct. With my F350, After towing, I fill up and it will show the distance that the MPG indicates. I laugh cause as I drive, My MPG goes up and so does the distance to E. Start out normally about 700+ and drive and I end up with over 800+ to E. I'm getting 19 MPG back and forth to work. Don't think it takes the average of towing and not towing. It just uses the Avg MPG. Can't see why they would change it between models. Do believe it has something to to do with the shape of the gas tank. They could only put the probe in at one location but it can not read all the fuel until it gets to a certain level that it can measure. They use floats not vertical probes in the tanks I do belive.
Happy Glamping!

 

[BryanValRox]

There is a calibration that needs to be done with the 32 gallon tank to a 50

I would agree that based on size, shape etc of the tank there should be some sort of calibration process that would be needed to correct the sender /gauge for the volume of a given tank. MPG and DTE would be a totally different conversation.

 

[Bozo]

Mine fluctuates on my 21, not a big deal to me, fill and go.

 

[Jwtsg]

Don't think that is correct. With my F350, After towing, I fill up and it will show the distance that the MPG indicates. I laugh cause as I drive, My MPG goes up and so does the distance to E. Start out normally about 700+ and drive and I end up with over 800+ to E. I'm getting 19 MPG back and forth to work. Don't think it takes the average of towing and not towing. It just uses the Avg MPG. Can't see why they would change it between models. Do believe it has something to to do with the shape of the gas tank. They could only put the probe in at one location but it can not read all the fuel until it gets to a certain level that it can measure. They use floats not vertical probes in the tanks I do belive.
Happy Glamping!

Have driven Dodge/ Ram gasser Hemi HD trucks my entire adult life. Towed extensively as a gen. Contractor,,,& avid trailer camper & traveler,,,,Have had auxiliary tanks but never a 50 gallon stock fuel tank,,, Am 90% certain they average based as explained by Flyer32RLS above,,,have had various tuners for different performance needs,,,economy,,,4WD,,,towing,,,performance & those selections would adjust shift points,,,tire size,,,& monitor major drive, transmission, fluid,,,fluid temps,,,always found the types of behaviors noted above,,,but also always found you could rely on trusting DTE would be close to reality for travel purpose of remsing fuel. Our current rig is a 2015 HD 6.4 hemi,,,and has dash setting on engine,,,that reflects actual measurements on major components. It is to the best of my expience set for specific truck equips at time of mfgr,,,never have had to have recalibrated due to tank size but this info is only based on personal experienc,,,people trainiedin theses matters are much smarter & knowledgeable than I. Just my $0.02 for your info,,,

 

[Lantley]

Does DTE even matter until the tank gets low? If its 900 miles or 700 miles when the tanks full is not important.
When the tank gets below 1/2 way and starts to move towards E the DTE becomes meaningful.

 

[RikBakke]

I've got a 2026 Ram 3500 with the 50 gallon fuel tank option. I see a similar non linearity to the reported fuel level on the needle gauge and actual fuel load. slow to show burn at above 1/2 tank especially off Full, then fast drop during the last 1/2 of the gauge. the truck computer MPG reading is accurate no matter the fuel load. Haven't paid much attention yet to the miles remaining calculation though. I'll live with it. Maybe RAM can program in a better calibration in software and release it some day. Or maybe the fuel sending float is pegged up for quite a while during burn from the 50 gal tank so no help there unless they bring in the measured fuel rate somehow

 

[mboudoin]

I learned my usage while pulling and calculate from there. I never look at the "mile until empty". Always calculate 10MPG X 40 gallons which will almost always give me 400 miles or so. I usually stop before then after 3 or so hours just to stretch the legs and top it off.

 

[7426TRISS]

No disrespect to anyone, with all this technology today, it should work correctly.

I never go under half a tank before I stop, never no, when a wreck or something is going to happen.

 

[Flyer32RLS]

No disrespect to anyone, with all this technology today, it should work correctly.

You are absolutely correct. There is just one problem with that idea. You can get an accurate reading but are you willing to pay for it.
There are fuel probes that don't just float on top of the fuel giving you the level of the tank. There are probes that eten from the bottom of the tank and is calibrated to where the fuel is wet on the probe. They are pretty darn accurate. Thats the procedure that commercial airplanes account for the fuel remaining. It isn't cheap. Just say boat or airplane and the price doubles.
Happy Glamping!!

 

[Lantley]

No disrespect to anyone, with all this technology today, it should work correctly.

I never go under half a tank before I stop, never no, when a wreck or something is going to happen.

You are kind of chasing your tail. You state you are never going to let your tank get anywhere near empty yet you want the distance to empty calculation to be 100% accurate.
As flyer stated above the technology does exist but its not used at the automotive level due to cost and demand. A float system used in the auto world will not be accurate until the tank gets below the 1/2 tank point.
The DTE data does not become necessary, beneficial or critical until you actually approach empty.
If we are referring to autos Distance To Empty is important when the tank approaches empty, but it not very important when the tank is full.
However in a Plane DTE is critical at all times simply because refueling is not as simple as pulling off the next exit.
If your leaving New York heading to Miami you want to be sure your DTE shows enough fuel to make the trip!
The critical nature of having ample fuel in an airplane is why they use more expensive probes vs. floats.
For RV purposes floats are accurate enough to keep us safe, knowing we have enough fuel to reach the next site